Power lift and power-driven implement



Sept.,l1, 194s. L; KINGSBURY ,62315' POWER LIFT AND POWER DRIVEN IMPLEMENT Filed March 8,1943 7 2.Shee$het 1 INVENTOR.

Sept. I1, 1945. I. v. KINGSBURY POWER LIFT AND POWER DRIVEN IMPLEMENT Filed March 8. 194-3 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ljffm auy Zebu BY'J,

Patented Sept. 1 1, 1945 Leon v. Kingsbury, South Bend. Ina, asslgnor to V The Oliver Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application March 8, 1943, Serial No. 478.446

. 12 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to 8811- novel and improved potato digger of one or more row type incombinationwith a tractor in which the power take-off shaft and power lift mechanism of the tractor is operatively connected with the implement for driving the movable elements thereof and for raising and lowering certain opcultural implements, but more particularly to that type of implement attached to and drawn by a erative parts of the implement, together. with can tain manual adjustments and controls which are all located within easy reach of the operator on the tractor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel form of forecarriage or truck in which its associated frame is pivoted to the tractor for attaching the implements thereto and operatively connected to the power lift of the tractor for raising and lowering the implement and having manually controlled means thereon, operable from the seat of the tractor for regulating the depth penetration ofthe ground engaging tool of the had plement. t

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved tractor-drawn potato digger in which the power take off mechanism of Y the tractor is used for driving the movable elements of the digger and the power lift-ofthe tractor is employed for raising and lowering the forward end of the digger with respect to the ground. This arrangement permits the power of the tractor to-drive the movable elements of the potato digger for freeing the same from straw and trash while in standing position.

These and other objects are accomplished by providinga construction and an arrangement of the various parts in the manner hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings: 1

- Fig. 1 isa top plan view showing a fragmenta y portion of the tractor and the mannerin which the implements drawn thereby'are operatively connected thereto;

m. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken 55 side walls a of the frame members of the potato on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1 and showing the implement in ground engaging position; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view similar to that shown in Fig. 2 illustrating the manner as well as the position of the parts when the implementfhas been raised or in non-operative position; a

In illustrating one form of my invention 1 have shown,the same in connection with a conventional form of tractor, a fragmentary portion of which is shown in the drawin s, which comprises a main frame generally indicated by the reference character. It; The tractor in this instance has its rear end supported on an axle l l journaled within the rear axle housing l2. The main frame) of the tractor also includes a transmission housing which may be formed integrally with or separate from the rear axle housing l2. .The tractor shown is provided with the usual internal combustion engine or motor, generally indicated by the reference character I4. Mounted on the housing [3 is the usual tractor operators seat i5. Operatively connected with the transmission mechanism of the tractor-in a manner well under. stood in the art, is a power lift mechanism located within the housing l6. This power lift mechanism may be of any preferred construction, but consists'primarily of a worm wheel, worm gear, half revolution clutch of a construction similar to the construction disclosed in the H. E. Altgelt Patent No. 2,059,676, dated November 9, 1t l36.

For that reason it is believed that a more specific description of this mechanism is not necessary.

- This power lift mechanism includes an operatively driven and intermittently rotated transverse shaft H, to the opposite ends of which are connected power lift cranks I8. The rear end of the tractor is supported on traction wheels l9, which in turn, are keyed or splined to the opposite ends of the axle i I. Also operatively connected to the transmission mechanism of the tractor and driven by the engine thereof is the usual power take-01f shaft 20. A

For the purpose of illustration, I have shown the implement in this instance as comprising a. single row potato digger, which includes a main frame or bed generally indicated by the reference character 2|. The main-frame or bed 2| has the usual vertically spaced apart forwardly inclined side walls 22. Secured to the forward end of the main frame 2| through the medium of triangular brackets or plates 23 is a digger blade 24. The rear end of the digger frame is supported on a transverse axle 25 and supporting wheels 26 The ll so as to receive therebetween one of the ends of the frame member I. The other end of the transverse bolt {I is supported in a laterally offset arm I! of the bracket II. The bracket is secured to the axle housing I! of the tractor by means of bolts SI and 02. Embracing the bolt ll to the other vertical leg of the inverted U-shaped member 26'. (See Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.) Secured to one end of the shaft 3| adjacent the gear housing is a sprocket wheel 33 which operatively drives a driven sprocket wheel 34 through the medium of a chain 35. The sprocket wheel 35 is secured to a transverse shaft 30, which in turn, is journaled in the vertically extending side plate 31 secured to the opposite frame members of the main frame 2|. Secured adjacent the opposite ends of the shaft 38 within the side wall 22 are sprocket wheels (not shown) over which a conveyor and elevator belt ll travels in a manner well understood in the art for conveying, elevat ing and separating the dirt from the potatoes as they are conveyed rearwardly. The construction of the potato digger thus far described is conventional in form and for that reason it is believed more details as to the operative structure is not necessary.

Secured to the forward ends of the opposite side walls 22 of the potato digger are curved or goosenecked shaped beams 39 which converge forwardly and have their forward ends contactin and extending in parallelism as shown at .40. Embracing the forward ends II and secured thereto by means of bolts ll is a draft clevis 42. An intermediate portion of the beams II are reinforced by transverse bar 13. Secured to in any well known manner and extending upwardly from adjacent one end of the transverse bar It is' a bracket 44. Mounted in the upper end of the bracket and. secured thereto, is a bearing bushing generally indicated by the reference character 45. Journaled in the bearing bushing and in the gear housing 29 is a longitudinally extending shaft 48. The gear housing 2 is held in rigid spaced relation with respect to the bushing 45 by the two longitudinally extending bars 41. Iherearendoftheshaftdtisconnectedtoa bevel gear (not shown) which in tum, drives the complementary bevelled gear (not shown) secured to the shaft for operatively driving the elevating and conveying chain II. The forward end of the shaft It isconnected by means of two universal connections 0 and II and a towel)!!- rigidly held'spacedapartbyfourtransversebam,

as shown at N, which have their opposite ends welded to upper and'lower edges of the U-shaped member II. Theforward ends of the forecarriage vordraft frameli ar pivotedonatransveraebolt ",oneendofwhichisnmportedcntwoatraps Iiboltedtothehousing llofthe tractorbymeansofbolta ll. 'iherearwardends ofthesestraps i6 arelpaeedaplrtasshownat Plate.

power take-off shaft ll of the between the outer strap it and the arm is a spacer tube or pipe 62'. Adjustably supported on the U-shaped draft and forecarriage frame H.

are depth gauge or forecarriage wheels 83 in the form of a drum which are adapted to ride the ridge or hill 84 for regulating and controlling the depth penetration of the blade 24 of the potato digger. The wheels 63 are journaled on a bolt or shaft it and spacertube or pipe 66, which in turn. is carried in the rear end of the arms of a U- shaped member 61. The opposite arms of the U- shaped member -81 are pivoted as shown at I to opposite triangular plates 89, which in turn, are secured to the longitudinally extending portions of the truck or draft frame ll. Pivoted on one end of the bolt 6| isan upwardly extending, manually-adiustable lever 10 located within easy reach of the operator's seat I! on the tractor. This lever is provided with the usual detent mechanism generall indicated by the reference character Ii for engaging an arcuate sector I2 for locking the lever in various positions of adjustment, thereby regulating the adjustment of the wheels I with respect to the frame SI for gauging or regulating the depth penetration of the digger blade II. The

ing connection within the safety shield or tubular sector 12 is secured to one side of the frame member Si by bolts [3. The lower end of the lever 10 is braced with respect to the U-shaped members 81 by diagonal brace 14. The forecarriage or draft frame, together with the adjustable wheels I! is raised and lowered through the power lift of the tractor and this mechanism includes two upwardly converging links II, which have their lower ends pivotally connected as shown at It, to the opposite sides of the frame member II.

The upper ends of the links 15 are secured to- I gether and held in spaced relation withrespect to one another by means of two spacertubes I1 and bolt ll. Connected between the inner ends 0 the tube 11 and directly to the bolt 18 is a chain ll. The upper end of-the chain Disconnected, asshownatlltotherearendofanarmtlofa bell-crank member 82. The bell-crank member has a second arm it located at right angles with respecttotheflrstarmll. Connectedtothe outer end of the arm "as shown at N, is a connecting rod II which has its forward end as shown at I. connected to one of the power-lift cranks ll of the power lift mechanism of the tractor. Hie bell-crank lever 82 has a transyerse bearing barrel I! which is-Divoted on a bolt It. The bearing bolt 88 is supported on two spaced apart triangular plates It. The triangular plates 8! are supported on the tractor by means of right ansularly shaped bracket II which has its transverse portion welded to the forward edges of the spaced apart plates ll and its inner end securedbymeansofabolt ll toasts-apnoe- ,cured by means of bolts II to the tractorhousing II. 'l'heinnertriangiuarplateliisrelnfoiced andflu'thersumortedbydiasonalbracellwhieh hasitsupperendconnectedtofliebo tllandits lower end connected to the pivot bolt L The outer triangular plate II 'is also reinforced and supportedbyananguiiriydisposedbraceli which has one end connected to the-bolt 6| of theaxlehousing llandtheotherendconnected bymeans of abolt' to thelower end of said From the above description it will be obvious that should.- the operator desire to regulate the depth penetration of the digger blade 24 of the potato digger, the manually adjustable lever 10 from the operator's seat on the tractor may be actuated in a direction to depress or raise the gauge wheel 63 with respect to the draft or forecarriage frame i and thereby control the extent to which the blade 23 may enter the ground. It will also be obvious that should the operator desire to raise the digger blade out of the ground from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3 for transporting purpose or for the purpose of turning at the end of the field, the trip of the power lift mechanism IS on the tractor is actuated to thereby cause the power lift crank l8 to revolve one-half revolution, thereby actuating the bell-crank 82 through the connection 85 from the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings to that shown in Fig. 3. When the bell-crank is actuated to the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, it will in turn, elevate the draft or forecarriage frame El, thereby lifting the forward end of the potato digger or blade out of the ground.

In connection with the operation of my improved power drive and power lift digger, it will be noted that the tractor wheels IQ of the tractor are arranged to straddle two rows of potatoes, while the trailing potato digger and particularly the wheels 26 thereof, are adapted to straddle a single row and the position of the power lift draft frame 5| is so arranged with the power take-off shaft 20 of the tractor so as to keep the line of drive of the power take-off shaft for driving the movable elements for elevating and conveying the chain 38 in substantial longitudinal alignment so as to reduce to a minimum the angular displacement of the shaft and universal joint when the tractor is making a turn.

It will be observed that the lever 10 together with the detent mechanism 12 and the gauge wheel 63 may be eliminated from the construction shown in the drawings so that the draft or forecarriage frame Si is wholly supported by the chain suspended from the bell-crank 8|. The

- depth adjustments may be made for controlling the depth penetration of the digger blade 24 by lengthening or shortening the chain 19. Under such an arrangement, of course, it will be understood that the other partswill function in their usual manner.

Summarizing the advantages and novel features of operation, it will be noted that by utilizing the power take-off shaft of the tractor as well as the power lift of the tractor in connection with performing these functions on the implement attached to and drawn at the rear of the tractor, a considerable simplification and reduction of parts is accomplished over the arrangement where these mechanisms are directly on the implement itself. It is further pointed out that by providing a special draft frame pivoted to the tractor and having incorporated therein a gauge wheel which can be manually adjusted from the operator's seat onthe tractor, affords a simple means of controlling the depth control of the digger blade and in addition thereto, affords a simple arrangement for utilizing the conventional power-lift of the tractor to raise and lower the implement from non-working position to working position or vice versa' by the power of the tractor.

While in the above-specification I have described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will of course, be understood that modification may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a tractor and a wheel supported agricultural implement connected therewith, a forecarriage frame for supporting the forward end of said implement and forming the draft connection between said implement and tractor, means for pivotally connecting said implement to said frame for vertical and lateral movement with respect to said tractor, an adjustable gauge wheel carried by said forecarriage frame for gauging the forward end of said implement with respect to the ground, and a power lift mechanism mounted on said tractor and operatively connected to said forecarriage for raising and lowering the forward end of said implement.

2. The combination with a tractor and a wheel supported agricultural implement connected therewith, a draft frame pivoted to said tractor and said implement for forming the connection therebetween, means for pivotally connecting said implement to said frame for vertical and lateral movement with respect to said tractor, a gauge wheel carried by said draft frame, means for adjusting said gauge wheel with respect to said draft frame from the operators seat on the tractor,. and a power lift mechanism mounted on said tractor and operatively connected to said draft frame for raising and lowering the forward end of said implement.

3. The combination with a tractor and an agricultural implement having amain frame, a ground engaging tool carried by said main frame, a movable element carried by said frame, a power take-off mounted on said tractor and operatively connected with said movable element for driving the same, a draft frame pivoted to said tractor and to said implement for forming the connection therebetween, a gaugewheel pivoted to said draft frame, a manually operable lever mounted on said draft frame within easy reach of the operators seat on said tractor for adjusting said wheel with respect to said frame, and a power lift mechanism mounted on said tractor and operatively connected to said draft frame for raising and lowering the forward end of said implement.

4. The combination with a tractor and a trailing agricultural implement having a main frame, a ground engaging tool carried by said main frame, movable elements carried by said main frame, a power take-off mounted on said tractor and operatively connected with said movable elements, a draft frame forming the connection between said implement and said tractor, said draft frame being pivoted to said tractor and said implement a gauge wheel pivoted to said draft frame and adjustable with respect thereto for regulating the depth penetration of said tool, and a power lift mechanism mounted on said tractor and operatively connected to said draft frame for raising or lowering said tool with respect to the ground.

5. The combination with a tractor and a trailins agricultural implement having a main frame, ground wheels for supporting said main frame a ground engagin tool carried by said main frame, movable elements carried by said main frame, a power take-off mounted on said tractor and operatively connected with said movable elements,

a draft frame pi otally connected to said imple-' ment and pivotally connected to said tractor, a

gauge wheel pivoted to said draft frame and adjustable with respect thereto for regulating the depth penetration of said tool, a power lift mechanism including a bell crank mounted on said tractor, and a flexible connection between 'said bell crank and said draft frame for raising and lowering said tool with respect to the ground.

6. The combination with a tractor and a trailing potato digger having a main frame, a movable elevator and conveying chain mounted on said main frame, a digger blade mounted in the forward end of said main frame, a power takeoff shaft extending from said tractor and scared to said conveying chain for driving same, a forecarriage frame pivoted to and on one side of the longitudinal center line of said tractor, said forecarriage frame forming the connection between said main frame and said tractor, a manually adjustable gauge wheel pivoted on said forecarriage frame, and a power lift mechanism mounted on and driven by said tractor and operatively connected to said forecarriage frame for raising and lowering said blade with respect to the ground.

7. The combination with a tractor and a traillongitudinal center line of said tractor, said forecarriage frame forming the connection between said main frame andsaid tractor, a manually adjustable gauge wheel pivoted on said forecarriage frame, a hand lever pivoted on said forecarriage frame and extending within easy reach of the operator's seat on the tractor for controlling the position of said gauge wheel with respect to said forecarriage frame, and a power lift mechanism mounted on and driven by said tractor and operatively connected to said forecarriage frame for raising and lowering said blade with respect to the ground.

8. The combination with a tractor and a trailing potato digger having a main frame, wheels supporting the rear end of said frame, a movable elevator and conveyor chain mounted on said main frame, a digger blade mounted in the forward end of said frame, a power take off shaft extending from said tractor and geared to said conveyor chain, said power take-off shaft extending in a substantial longitudinal line, a U- shaped forecarriage frame pivoted to and on one side of the longitudinal center line of said tractor, the forward end of said main frame being ply-- otally supported on and located to one side of said forecarriage frame, a power lift mechanism mounted on and driven by said tractor, said power lift being-operatively connected to said forecarriage frame for raising and lowering said blade with respect to the ground.

' 9. The combination with a tractor and a wheel supported trailing agricultural implement having a main frame, a ground engaging tool carried by said main frame forward of said wheel support, a movable element carried by said main frame, a power take-off mounted on said tractor and operatively connected to said movable element for driving the same, a draft frame forming the connection between said implement and said tractor, said draft frame being pivotally connected to said tractor and pivotally connected to said implement, and a power lift mechanism mounted on said tractor and connected to said draft frame for raising and lowering the forward end of said implement.

10. The combination with a tractor and a wheel supported agricultural implement having a main frame, a ground engaging tool carried by said main frame forward of said wheel support, a

movable element carried by said main frame, a power take-off mounted on said tractor and operatively connected to said movable element for driving the same, a draft frame pivoted to said tractor on a horizontal pivotfor vertical swinging movement, said implement being pivoted to said draft frame for lateral and vertical movement with respect thereto, and a power lift mounted on said tractor and connected to said draft frame for raising and lowering said ground engaging tool.

11. The combination with a tractor and a trailing potato digger having a main frame, a movable elevator and conveying chain mounted on said main frame, a digger blade mounted on the forward end of said main frame, a power takeoff shaft extending from said tractor and geared 40 to said conveying chain for driving the same, a

forecarriage frame pivoted to said-tractor, said forecarriage frame forming the connection be-- tween said main frame and said tractor, a manually adjustable gauge wheel pivoted to said forecarriage frame, and a power lift mechanism mounted on and driven by said tractor and operatively connected to said forecarriage frame for raising and lowering said blade with respect to the ground.

12. The combination with a tractor and a wheel supported agricultural implement connected therewith, a forecarriage frame pivoted to said tractor, means for pivotally connecting the forward end of said implement to saidframe for vertical and lateral movement with respect to 

